Potassium is more reactive than hydrogen, which allows it to displace hydrogen from acids like many other metals. Unlike most metals it is reactive enough to pry away the more strongly-bonded hydrogen in water.
A more reactive element can displace a less reactive element from a compound, according to the reactivity series. For example, metals like magnesium and zinc can displace hydrogen from water or acids.
Zinc does not displace hydrogen from cold water, as zinc is lower in the reactivity series than hydrogen. However, if zinc is reacted with an acid, such as hydrochloric acid, it will displace hydrogen gas.
Hydrogen is commonly used as a standard for comparing the activity of metals. The reactivity series of metals is often based on their ability to displace hydrogen from acids or water.
Acids release hydrogen+ ions (H+) when dissolved in water
Potassium hydrogen carbonate is soluble in water.
Copper is not typically used to prepare hydrogen in the laboratory because it is not reactive enough to displace hydrogen from water or acids. Other metals like zinc or aluminum are more commonly used for this purpose as they have a higher reactivity with water or acids.
A more reactive element can displace a less reactive element from a compound, according to the reactivity series. For example, metals like magnesium and zinc can displace hydrogen from water or acids.
Zinc does not displace hydrogen from cold water, as zinc is lower in the reactivity series than hydrogen. However, if zinc is reacted with an acid, such as hydrochloric acid, it will displace hydrogen gas.
Lead is not used for the preparation of hydrogen because it is not reactive enough to displace hydrogen from water or acids. Other metals like zinc or aluminum are commonly used because they react more readily with acids or water to produce hydrogen gas. Lead's lack of reactivity makes it unsuitable for this purpose.
Potassium plus Water gives Potassium Hydroxide plus Hydrogen
Hydrogen is commonly used as a standard for comparing the activity of metals. The reactivity series of metals is often based on their ability to displace hydrogen from acids or water.
Potassium reacts with water to produce potassium hydroxide (KOH) and hydrogen gas (H2).
The capacity of elements to displace hydrogen can be determined based on their position in the reactivity series. Elements higher in the reactivity series can displace hydrogen from compounds of elements lower in the series. For example, metals like magnesium and zinc can displace hydrogen from water because they are higher in the reactivity series.
Reactive metals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium react quickly with water to produce hydrogen gas. Strong acids like hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid also react quickly with metals to produce metal salts and hydrogen gas.
Potassium, K, reacts with water to form potassium hydroxide and hydrogen.
Acids release hydrogen+ ions (H+) when dissolved in water
Potassium hydrogen carbonate is soluble in water.